Turning to go back, Mrs. Bowmore saw her own bewilderment reflected in the faces of the two female servants, who had followed her out.
"Who can the footman be after, ma'am?" asked the cook. "Do you think it's a thief?"The housemaid pointed to the post-chaise, barely visible in the distance.
"Simpleton!" she said. "Do thieves travel in that way? I wish my master had come back," she proceeded, speaking to herself: "I'm afraid there's something wrong."Mrs. Bowmore, returning through the garden-gate, instantly stopped and looked at the woman.
"What makes you mention your master's name, Amelia, when you fear that something is wrong?" she asked.
Amelia changed color, and looked confused.
"I am loth to alarm you, ma'am," she said; "and I can't rightly see what it is my duty to do."Mrs. Bowmore's heart sank within her under the cruelest of all terrors, the terror of something unknown. "Don't keep me in suspense," she said faintly. "Whatever it is, let me know it."She led the way back to the parlor. The housemaid followed her.
The cook (declining to be left alone) followed the housemaid.